JAMMU, OCTOBER 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met leaders of various political parties at Raj Bhavan here today.
Former minister and Congress leader RS Chib submitted a memorandum of demands which included the establishment of Sainik Colony at Srinagar, expediting four-laning works on Jammu-Suchetgarh National Highway, instating a mechanism of monitoring works of Rural Development Department, and improvement in Covid care facilities being provided in the UT. He also submitted that the Tawi Golf Course Jammu be overhauled and developed into a major tourist destination of the Jammu region.
Former minister and General Secretary Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Yogesh Sawhney also presented the Lt Governor a host of demands including improvement in traffic management and parking facility in old Jammu city, reopening of gates around Mubarak Mandi Complex, completion of pending projects of pending projects of Jammu city like Peerkho Project, Tawi Ghat, Artificial Lake Project, shifting of Government Higher Secondary School, Panjtirthi, the release of pending installment of Rs 25 lakh assistance to refugees, issue of abolition of Self Help Groups, issues pertaining to land rights and jobs of locals and construction of new roads and flyovers to decongest the city.
President Dogra Sadar Sabha and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak discussed with the Lt Governor a host of issues pertaining to the Jammu region and the Dogras. In a memorandum, he highlighted the urgent need for restoration of the Mubarak Mandi Complex and underlined its significance in Dogra heritage. He also highlighted the issue of blockade of old city roads due to winter Darbar, demanded widening of Indira-Chowk to Raj Bhavan Road, showcasing Jammu’s heritage through annual Jammu Festival, starting Duggar Channel to cater to the Dogri speaking region, permanent functioning of Civil Secretariat at both the capital cities and the issues pertaining to National Highway 44. Issues of Armed Forces, War Widows, and their other welfare measures were also highlighted by Sh Charak.
State General Secretary of BJP, Arvind Gupta while meeting with the Lt Governor submitted a detailed proposal of development of Katra-Reasi tourist circuit. His memorandum included issues like exploring the potential of religious tourism around Katra, development of Katra bazaar as a ‘heritage market’, development of other sites of district Reasi like Siarh Baba and Sula Park, and starting a cable car service between the park and the Bhimgarh Fort among other proposals.
BJP Spokesperson Tahir Chowdhary raised the issue related to the shortage of faculty at GMC Jammu and demanded that the same be filled on priority. He also apprised the Lt Governor that the department of Urology and Gastroenterology are lying defunct despite the availability of medical equipment, and demanded that senior doctors be dissuaded from private practice.
The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to all the leaders and assured them that the government is taking all necessary steps for the betterment of the public. He reiterated that the government is committed to improving the lives of all the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. The Lt Governor also assured them that all the issues presented would be looked into and addressed on merit.